Stosur outpointed in Beijing

Australian world number seven Samantha Stosur has been dealt a shock first-round defeat by Latvian Anastasija Sevastova at the China Open in Beijing.

Number four seed Stosur started strongly to claim the first set, but dropped the second in a tie-break 7-5.

The Latvian proved too strong in the third though, eventually triumphing 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5.

Stosur withdrew from the Commonwealth Games to play in the Chinese tournament, but has been knocked out before the opening ceremony has even started.

Meanwhile, three-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova struggled at times to find her rhythm but eventually advanced to the second round thanks to her brute force from the backcourt.

The Russian, a former world number one and the 12th seed in Beijing, defeated Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), in a duel of 23-year-olds that lasted more than two hours in the warm afternoon sun.

France's Aravane Rezai was the first seeded player ousted. The 14th seed lost to Argentina's Gisela Dulko in three sets.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the top seed in Beijing, could this week take over the world number one ranking from Serena Williams - who withdrew due to injury this week - by reaching the quarterfinals or better.

Titleholder Novak Djokovic is the top seed in the men's draw, which begins on Monday.

The Serb will face a tough challenge from Britain's Andy Murray, in action for the first time since a disappointing early loss at the US Open.